Ashley Jeffery Motorsports
Jones to step down as driver for Darien & Meadows

STOCKTON, Calif. - NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster driver Paul Jones announced
his resignation as driver of the Darien & Meadows A/Fuel Dragster today.
The team's sponsor, Western Stabilization, also announced they would be
stepping down as sponsor as well.

"I would like to shed some light on my recent decision to end my stint as
the driver of the Jerry Darien and Ken Meadows A/Fuel Dragster," said
Jones, of Stockton, Calif. "People who know me best know that I'm very
goal oriented. When I focus on something I give it 100% of my attention.
Sometimes this quest to reach a goal clouds your vision and allows you to
neglect other areas of your life that are just as or even more important
than the particular goal. My goal was, is and will continue to be to
drive a Top Fuel Dragster someday. There are many different paths I
could take to try to reach this goal. The path I chose at the beginning
of this year was to drive the most competitive A/Fuel car in the country.
This took a huge financial obligation and would not have been even
remotely possible without the help from Western Stabilization. This next
statement might be hard for most of you to understand. As the season
progressed I began to evaluate this path that I chose. With the full
support and understanding from Ashley Jeffery, Owner of Western
Stabilization, wife Judy and daughter Justine, I came to the conclusion
that this might not be the best path. Without going into too much detail
as to why I made this decision please understand that this decision stems
from a series of unselfish reasons. Now knowing my goal, you should be
able to understand how hard it was for me to make this decision. I
realize all of the possible ramifications that this could have on my
career and I except them. But in looking at the big picture this was the
only reasonable choice."

"I will continue my employment with Western Stabilization and continue to
help Ashley and Justine with their Super Comp program," added Jones.

Ashley Jeffery, owner of Western Stabilization, also added his thoughts
to the issue.

"The recent departure of Paul Jones from the Darien & Meadows team has
raised a lot of questions as to how Western Stabilization fits into all
of this," said Jeffery. "As the owner of Western Stabilization I would
like to personally address this."

"From the time Paul Jones walked into my office last year looking for
sponsorship he was up front and honest about his goals to someday reach
Top Fuel. I am a man that spent many years raising a family and building
my business so I know financially how hard it can be to achieve yours
dreams at a young age. Yes, I have worked hard for all I have but I also
feel I have been greatly blessed and that is why I believe in helping
others. Despite what some may say Western's relationship with Paul has
been a positive one. Paul is a very driven individual and he has spent a
lot of time making sure he held up his end of the bargain by getting
Western's name out there. Paul has always consulted me before every
decision he has made. His decision to step back from driving at this
point was difficult for all of us, however he has my support 100%. I
won't go into all the details of the deal I made with Paul but the money
he agreed to give Jerry was not all coming from me. I understand the
hardship this could have eventually been on him when you look at the
bigger picture. I am a man of my word but I am also a man that cares
about people and I care about Paul's future and respect the decision he
has made."

"With all that said many are wondering about Western's name on the Darien
& Meadows car. Like I said before, the money Paul agreed to was not all
coming from me and my agreement with Paul was with him in the drivers
seat. What many people don't know is that a couple months ago Paul came
to work for Western Stabilization. He has been doing an outstanding job
promoting our new foam asphalt process. He also maintains our family's
Super Comp cars. Paul will continue to be at the races with Ashley
Jeffery Motorsports and I feel due to that and his employment at Western
it would be a conflict of interest to continue on with the Darien &
Meadows team with a different driver. This decision has no reflection on
Jerry Darien, Ken Meadows or their program."

"I know many people are wondering if I would consider sponsoring a
different team. My family and I will spend the remainder of the season
focusing on our two Super Comp cars. There are many great drivers and
teams out there that deserve sponsorship but at this time I feel I need
to take a break and re evaluate where Western goes form here."

"Finally, some may not understand or agree with all that has taken place.
I don't ask you to understand or agree but I will ask one thing. Many
people have the need to speculate, go on chats and give their opinion or
trash people, and some even start rumors as to why things happen. I
believe in going directly to the source. If you are one that feels the
need to know more please email Paul he has nothing to hide."